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From elementary schools to psychotherapy offices, mindfulness meditation is an increasingly mainstream practice. At the same time, trauma remains a fact of life: The majority of us will experience a traumatic event in our lifetime, and up to 20 percent of us will develop post-traumatic stress. This means that anywhere mindfulness is being practiced, someone in the room is likely to be struggling with trauma. At first glance, this appears to be a good thing: Trauma creates stress, and mindfulness is a proven tool for reducing it. But the reality is not so simple.
Drawing on a decade of research and clinical experience, psychotherapist and educator David Treleaven shows that mindfulness meditation – practiced without an awareness of trauma – can exacerbate symptoms of traumatic stress. Instructed to pay close, sustained attention to their inner world, survivors can experience flashbacks, dissociation, and even retraumatization. This raises a crucial question for mindfulness teachers, trauma professionals, and survivors everywhere: How can we minimize the potential dangers of mindfulness for survivors while leveraging its powerful benefits?
Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness offers answers to this question. Part I provides an insightful and concise review of the histories of mindfulness and trauma, including the way modern neuroscience is shaping our understanding of both. Through grounded scholarship and wide-ranging case examples, Treleaven illustrates the ways mindfulness can help – or hinder – trauma recovery.
Part II distills these insights into five key principles for trauma-sensitive mindfulness. Covering the role of attention, arousal, relationship, dissociation, and social context within trauma-informed practice, Treleaven offers 36 specific modifications designed to support survivors’ safety and stability. The result is a groundbreaking and practical approach that empowers those looking to practice mindfulness in a safe, transformative way.
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Pema –
Heart-Centered Brilliance! Should be mandatory “trauma-sensitivity” training!
I feel compelled to write a review of this magnificent book. I practically highlighted the entire book (YES I read it- cover to cover). I do not know the author (wish I did), nor am I being paid or in any way “encouraged” to write a review. I did read other reviews on Amazon and asked myself whether some of these people could have possibly read the same book I did! I appreciated, and resonated with so much with, what this author wrote. I am hoping to somehow imprint in my mind and heart his skillful expression of concepts, I have a level of experiential understanding of, and only wish I could verbalize the way this author was able to do. I have picked up many books over the years on the subject of trauma, and rarely do I get beyond the first few chapters – generally lots of theory, and little in the way of “practical” strategies/approaches in how to integrate the material to alleviate suffering in my life or the lives of others.This book, in my opinion, is loaded with easy to digest and understand “how to” information and the right amount of contextual theory (brilliantly merging the many new age “gurus” on the subject such as Ogden, Levine, Porges, van der Kolk etc). The numerous “real life” examples where trauma sensitivity was, or was not, applied were very impactful.The author’s understanding of trauma felt enormously validating where it concerns my own experiences of trauma. Validation is not something I have experienced often! I also believe I am, after reading this book, much better equipped and informed as I move forward “in service” offering mindfulness and self-compassion based trauma programs. I am also now much more aware of where I need to continue to open my heart and awareness.After reading this book I am aware that I MUST be more sensitive to the social context and “take action to a more just, compassionate future”. The dynamics that relate to privilege, oppression and harm (described in detail in this book), I now know absolutely need to be considered and understood for me to truly be of service. I am a privileged white middle class straight female who truly has no idea what it would be like to live in the body, or from the lens, of the a community member of First Nation’s origin living on “shared” land (we stole from them) for example. I am also aware now, more than ever after reading this book, that I have lived my life feeling with a unique trauma lens where I have felt that I was in a world where I did not belong, was not understood and where I was unsafe.I am a survivor (and now mostly “thrivor”) after layers of trauma that started in my early childhood. For the majority of my life I had no connection with my body and had no interest in wanting to inhabit it. Numerous mental health diagnosis and so called “care” professionals – using the analogy that this author describes in this book – focusing on hosing down the smoke (symptoms) without even any awareness of or curiosity about the fire (trauma). Eat more bran I was told when I suffered from debilitating (traumatic stress related) constipation for example! Take a pill – it will help you feel better… In fact, in the dozens of medical professionals I have seen over the year (including many Psychiatrists), have not even asked about my trauma history! The author speaks of “retraumatization” that can occur. Pounding on pillows in an “anger release” program where I ended up with both a neck injury and months of nightmares I couldn’t process is just one of MANY examples of “therapeutic interventions” lacking in trauma sensitivity!! As this author points out, cathartic releases are not necessarily trauma integrations!For the past 10 years I have been immersed in mindfulness practice under the guidance of a skilled – more importantly – present teacher who I trust, embodies the practice and with whom I feel safe when he teachers. The practices (and therapeutic relationship with my teacher) have, using the authors words) helped me “increase my capacity to be with a range of experience – be it joy, love, or traumatic stress…as I (we) strengthen our ability to be with pain, we can also welcome more pleasure and peace”.I have also come across many “Mc Mindfulness” teachers who are “jumping on the bandwagon” to what many are seeing as a new “cure all”. Thank you for pointing out that ‘trauma-sensitive mindfulness is not something we can pick up at a week-end workshop and then add to the list of our offerings”. And YES, it is time that we start talking about where the mindfulness teachings came from. There is such a danger of taking what the yogi’s learned after years and years of dedicated practice, and teachings passed on from teacher to teacher, out of context. In the west we seem to want the “quick fix” (ideally in the form of a pill) for everything that ails us. Mindfulness is not that new quick fix. It seems that we also want to neatly package the teachings into a program anyone can easily sell and teach ignoring the role that the teacher plays.What I would have liked to see more of in this book is talking about the importance of developing “heart coherence” in those working with individuals with traumatic stress. The HeartMath Institute has done extensive research that shows that if what we are vibrating from the electromagnetic field of our heart is not coherent (which also reflects a deregulated nervous system) we can negatively affect the coherence of those we are with. I believe strongly that a mindfulness teacher/therapist/coach that lacks heart coherence can actually do harm when working with someone with trauma.Quoting the Dalai Lama: “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”There is no doubt in my mind after reading this book that this author walks his talk – a true and experiences mindfulness practitioner AND skilled, trauma-sensitive psychotherapist. I am deeply grateful for David Treleaven’s important and inspiring contribution to the potential for transformative healing for trauma survivors through mindfulness practice or any practice. I believe this should be mandatory “trauma-sensitivity” training reading for anyone involved in trauma work from any modality (not just Mindfulness). The fact that 60% of the proceeds of the sale of his book is going to trauma-sensitive organizations tells me an awful lot about this man’s heart.
Patrice Palmer, M.Ed., M.A. –
A must-read for all mindfulness teachers
I’ve taken three mindfulness programs and trauma-sensitive mindfulness was not included in any of the training. I cannot imagine teaching mindfulness and meditation without reading this valuable book. It is a must-read for all mindfulness and meditation teachers. I appreciated the detailed explanations of trauma, and how we can be proactive in setting up different anchors and providing choices. The sections on social contexts are relevant and key to intentionally participating in a more just and compassionate future for all.
Emma –
Cutting-edge, very readable and important book
This book is an exceptionally readable exploration of how to teach and practice mindfulness in a trauma-informed/sensitive way (and warnings about how NOT to). There are clearly outlined skills that are introduced, as well as clinical anecdotes woven throughout that are really engaging. An excellent and timely work, and a vital addition to the library of any therapist and mindfulness teacher. It is incredibly interesting and easy to read.
Nadine A –
Highly recommended
I highly recommend this book. I’m interested in meditation, but didn’t know about some of the potential hazards for trauma survivors. The book was informative and taught me a lot. If you’re interested in learning more about meditation and how it interfaces with trauma, the book is a great choice.
Wally Hein –
Highly recommend this book for anyone
a very enlightening book on Trauma . The author gives valuable information on PTSD. Highly recommend this book for anyone. It makes completesense with this up to date knowledge…..
James Stewart –
Partly a misappropriation of mindfulness
It appears that the writer has in some parts of this book misappropriated the practices and teachings of mindfulness. This book presents some information that would benefit practitioners (teachers and students) of mindfulness however, the writer appears to be caught in a cocoon of social justice ideology. Although this may not seem problematic on the surface, I question the authors credibility as a mindfulness practitioner as they appear attached to one of the current trends of ‘identity politics’.Although the concept of ‘privilege’ can provide insight, I don’t believe the concept of privilege is wholesomely presented in this book. The narrative presented here is a very narrow view that is currently trending in the western cultural narrative. This narrative appears prescribed to lead one to believe that privilege is a ‘solid/unchanging’ phenomenon and made up of 2 or 3 traits, without considering many other conditions that make up privilege(s) and that privilege like all other phenomenon is impermanent. This appears to be a form of ego appropriation of mindfulness practice.There is some information in this book that will be of benefit to some however the political tie in ironically seems like ‘appropriation’…or more accurately misappropriation. There are many ironies here considering that the current trend of identity politics in which a false narrative of ‘privilege’ is being promoted by some is actually contraindicated by the holistic practices of mindfulness meditation.It appears that the writer has in some parts of this book misappropriated the practices and teachings of mindfulness.
Azamon Customer –
Politicized SJW Preaching
I had to return the book after reading only halfway through. While portions of the text seem to discuss the actual core thesis, that of mindfulness practice stirring up adverse reactions in trauma survivors, the entire context of the book is extremely political and off-putting. A constant litany of the harm that sexism, racism, cultural oppression, “unearned privileges” and yes, even microaggressions perpetuate on people reads like a course syllabus in Self-Victimology 101 at SJW University.
Henrique Cardoso –
Um livro informativo e orientativo sobre os perigos de se ensinar mindfulness sem o conhecimento da origem e natureza do trauma.Apesar dos inúmeros benefícios para a saúde mental, física, emocional e o bem-estar geral propiciados àqueles que mantém uma prática regular de mindfulness, pode acontecer a alguns alunos iniciantes, cerca de 20%, não conseguir avançar nas práticas.Experiências traumáticas anteriores podem surgir durante as aulas e práticas e desestabilizar mental e emocionalmente o(a) aluno(a). Isso pode não só tornar a prática torturante, quando não, agravar e reforçar a experiência traumática.Nestes casos, não é a mindfulness quem está gerando o problema, mas a forma de como abordar a mindfulness em contextos desafiadores. Por isso a relevância do livro.Seria exagero exigir de todos os professores de mindfulness conhecer tudo sobre trauma, mesmo sabendo que a maioria dos seus alunos não passariam por isso.Todavia, é preciso saber o mínimo para, caso aconteça uma crise numa aula (ou mesmo quando o aluno estiver praticando sozinho em casa), o(a) professor(a) saiba como abordar adequadamente e de forma segura o(a) aluno(a), ajudando-o(a) sair da situação difícil.Por conseguinte, também seria é oportuno sugerir suspender a prática por um tempo e procurar a ajuda de um profissional especializado para tratar do problema.Portanto, é um livro adequado para instrutores de mindfulness, psicologos, terapeutas, psiquiatras e todos aqueles que se interessam por mindfulness. Logo, oportuno para ser adotado em cursos de formação de professores de mindfulness.Para aprofundar na abordagem do Trauma e mindfulness, se tiver a curiosidade, a vontade, o tempo e a persistência adequados para para iniciar e aprofundar, segue sugestão de leituras em ordem de prioridade didática e aprofundamento:1) Eugene T. Gendlin. Focalização: Uma Via de Acesso à Sabedoria Corporal2) Peter A. Levine. Uma voz sem palavras: Como o corpo libera o trauma e restaura o bem-estar3) Bessel van der Kolk. O corpo guarda as marcas: Cérebro, mente e corpo na cura do trauma4) Gabor Maté e Daniel Maté. O mito do normal: Trauma, saúde e cura em um mundo doentePS: Se não quiser começar pela origem, pode começar por 2. Se quer começar da origem, siga a ordem. As dicas 3 e 4 se complementam e pode iniciar por um ou pelo outro.
Fabiana L. –
An absolute “must read” for all those who practice/teach meditation or mindfulness
Valenti L. –
Testo molto interessante. Ho fatto un po’ fatica a leggerlo in inglese ma merita!
Nicole –
So many times I’ve been in meditation/mindfulness spaces and wished the facilitators or the framework had a deeper sense of concepts of oppression, power and the -isms (racism, sexism, etc) and the trauma many groups have imposed upon them. So many time I have been in social justice spaces and wished the facilitators has a better understanding of trauma and integrated mindfulness components. So many times I have been with trauma professions who also have their own gaps.This book ties them all together and is very needed in the work so many people are doing.Just a few months ago a friend reached out to me – she was in a small graduate counseling program and she and her classmates were really frustrated that the faculty didn’t seem to get why social justice was relevant let alone essential to a good practice. This book is the solution she and her peers are looking for. It is unabashed in highlighting the way oppression IS trauma and how essential a race conscious framework is to meaningfully helping people find healing- and disrupting the systems that cause so much pain and injustice. (other identity consciousness is also included but the author is heavier on race as he should be) I’ve been doing social justice work in different modalities and spheres for over a decade- and what really struck me about this work was that he makes the privilege/power/oppression content accessible, non-threatening and yet still full of accountability. Somehow he’s created space for seasoned practitioners to read these concepts explained in new ways and, to my eyes, it seems extraordinary the way he balanced holding softness and grace with those who may not have bought in to the fact that they need to care about microagressions, for example- while making it absolutely clear that it would be… a major misstep not only to avoid these topics/brush over them, but also a misstep to avoid looking internally at our own biases and the work we (White people especially) need to do if we want to be in full humanity with our friends and family with marginalized identities. And, while I’m sure it’s not perfect- David writes like he has lots of deep experience being accountable to people of color and it shows in his writing. He’s not ticking boxes to perform social justice- he sees a lot of the emotional depth of social justice that many people miss.This is a great book. I am not a trauma nor mindfulness practitioner by profession- but I read this book because these topics all interest me personally. He used a lot of plain non-academic language and explains concepts very clearly. I was grateful for the brief history lesson, showing how sexism especially set up the stigmatization of mental healthy and traumatizatuon especially. I found the parts that explain trauma (psychoeducation) really helpful and accessible (and less triggering than my read of some other popular books about trauma) and the adaptations to mindfulness practices to be really great- and honestly things we can be doing in other/many settings. I’ll adapt some of them when I do some student leadership training in the future. I’ll also share them with family – and use them regularly in my own mindfulness practice.Strong recommend. Definitely belongs on the shelves of many of helper-professionals and in the curricula of many if not most counseling programs.
Femme –
Esta bueno y con mucha info pero es más para Clinicos que para personas buscando remedios prácticos para trabajar la resiliencia. Se enfoca mucho en lo negativo